Wildfire run
Dee Garretson
Wildfire run
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Dee Garretson
The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
The crackle of flames fills the air, sharp and urgent, as thick smoke curls around the trees at Camp David. Luke and his friends must race through the choking heat and blazing danger, their hearts pounding with every step. Can they outsmart the wildfire and find safety before it's too late?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel follows the president’s son, Luke, and his friends as they face a life-threatening wildfire at Camp David. The story emphasizes themes of survival, friendship, and courage under pressure, suitable for ages 9-12. While it contains some suspenseful moments and mild peril, the content is appropriate for middle-grade readers who enjoy adventure and action.
Why we rated Wildfire run 11MP
Wildfire run is written at a Level 6 reading level across 261 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Wildfire run works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Wildfire run as 11MP ("Moderate — Physical") because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, physical peril — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the moderate intensity score.
Thematically, Wildfire run explores family, survival, adventure, friendship, and fiction — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 9-12 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about family, survival, adventure.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11MP — Moderate — PhysicalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780061953507
- Pages
- 261
- Publisher
- HarperCollins
- Published
- 2011
- Type
- Fiction